For a decade, when you thought of the Tampa Bay Rays, you thought of Evan Longoria. The third overall pick in 2006, he reached the majors in 2008 and immediately took over, winning American League Rookie of the Year and helping a long-struggling franchise reach its first World Series that same season.
Longoria was a complete player. He paired power at the plate with elite defense at third base, earning three Gold Gloves and three All-Star selections in his Rays years. He remains the franchise leader in nearly every major offensive category, from home runs to RBI to hits, and he is the most valuable position player in team history by a wide margin.
The eight-card career plaque (12x15)
And then there was Game 162. On the final night of the 2011 regular season, with the Rays clawing back from a huge September deficit, Longoria hit a walk-off home run to clinch a playoff spot in one of the most dramatic finishes baseball has ever seen. It is the signature moment of his career and one of the greatest in Rays history.
No. 3 is Rays baseball. That is why the franchise is giving him its highest honors. You can honor him too with an Evan Longoria plaque for your fan cave.